Senior Controller

Fay Financial; Oakbrook Terrace (IL); Hybrid; USD 175,000 - 225,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance

Company Paid Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

Pet Insurance

401k Program with Employer Matching

3 Weeks Paid Time Off (PTO)

Paid Holidays

Wellness Initiatives

Employee Assistance Program

Hybrid Work Schedule with Remote Flex

Job summary

The Fay Group seeks a Senior Controller to lead accounting, payroll and accounts payable across Fay Group entities. This role ensures timely month-end closes, accurate reporting, and acts as primary liaison with external auditors.

Responsibilities include cash flow oversight, intercompany balancing, and GAAP documentation, while driving process improvements and strong internal controls in a mortgage servicing financial services context.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance required.
• CPA or equivalent certification required.
• 15+ years progressive accounting experience.
• 10+ years in senior accounting roles within mortgage servicing for financial services.
• Experience managing people and leading teams.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP, investor reporting, MSR valuation, audits and controls.

Responsibilities

• Lead accounting, payroll, and accounts payable for The Fay Group and subsidiaries.
• Ensure timely month-end close and accurate financial reporting.
• Serve as primary liaison with external auditors and regulators.
• Oversee cash flow, balance sheet reconciliations, intercompany accounts, and bank reconciliations.
• Document management positions on GAAP treatments and drive process improvements.

Skills

CPA

U.S. GAAP

Financial reporting

Leadership

ERP systems

Mortgage servicing

Excel

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Accounting/Finance

CPA or equivalent certification

Tools

SAP

Oracle ERP

MS Excel

Job description

The Fay Group is a fully integrated real estate and mortgage services firm, bringing together the strength and expertise of two complementary holding companies – Fay Financial and Genstone Holdings. Since its founding in 2008 as a special servicer, The Fay Group has grown into a diversified enterprise overseeing more than $46 billion in assets on behalf of over 50 institutional clients. Powered by data, technology, and a team of 1,100+ professionals across 10 U.S. locations, the organization delivers coordinated solutions across the full spectrum of real estate and lending services – including loan servicing, property management, mortgage originations, renovations, and insurance.

From asset creation and loan management to renovations and real estate brokerage services, The Fay Group offers end-to-end capabilities under one platform. This comprehensive approach delivers flexibility, transparency, and performance across multiple asset classes, supporting both clients and customers in all market and interest rate environments.

This position is responsible for leading the accounting, payroll, and accounts payable functions for the enterprise, including all Fay Group entities, ensuring timely month-end close processes and accurate financial reporting. The Senior Controller serves as the primary liaison with external financial audit firms and is accountable for identifying and implementing opportunities for process optimization. This position requires deep expertise in mortgage servicing finance or financial services segments, strong leadership, deep management skills, and a proactive approach to process improvement and risk management.

The Senior Controller collaborates with third-party valuation firms to assess mortgage servicing rights, ensure compliance with relevant accounting standards, and support the budgeting and forecasting processes. The scope of responsibilities includes oversight for cash flow management, responsibility for maintaining balance sheet reconciliations, and ensuring intercompany accounts are balanced, bank accounts are reconciled, and appropriate controls are in place to deter fraud. This role manages internal reporting, disbursement reviews, payroll, debt reporting, lender covenant compliance, and coordination of multiple audits. Further, the role will be responsible for documenting management’s position on current and emerging accounting treatments under United States generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP” or “GAAP”) that do or would impact the entities within Fay Group.

Additionally, this position leads efforts to enhance key accounting processes and controls, update procedures and act as the finance executive liaison with auditors and regulators. This role supports the development and growth of the accounting team by providing guidance and working collaboratively to develop, enhance, and document policies and procedures.

This position is responsible for reviewing contracts to accurately determine asset ownership and ensure proper financial recognition.

Qualifications include:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field
• CPA, or equivalent professional certification
• 15+ years’ progressive experience in accounting
• 10+ years’ experience in a senior accounting role within mortgage servicing for financial services segments, including Controller-level experience
• Previous experience managing people and leading teams
• Strong financial reporting, summarization, and communication skills, with demonstrated ability to present complex financial data to executive stakeholders
• Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP, investor reporting requirements (e.g., Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Ginnie Mae), and MSR valuation, with experience in financial audits, internal controls, and regulatory compliance
• Deep understanding of enterprise accounting systems, cash flow operations, cost structures, and financial resource planning
• Advanced proficiency in accounting software systems, with exceptional organizational and recordkeeping capabilities
• Experience with mortgage servicing platforms and ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, or similar)
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel, Word, and Outlook
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to develop and maintain effective relationships across the organization to influence and drive required results
• Effective management skills to include talent selection, training, coaching, mentorship, and performance management
• Strength of leadership with proven ability to foster an environment of positive employee engagement and trust
• Demonstrated ability to quickly establish credibility, coupled with recognizing and supporting the organization’s culture, values, and priorities
• Collaborative and consultative work style
• Able to manage and lead change; agile; high learning agility
• Client-focused with strong execution skills and results orientation; able to link to business needs with tactical execution and results
• Strong analytical skills coupled with sound judgement; strong problem-solving abilities
• Ability to analyze and interpret data to identify opportunities and propose solutions
• Strong project management skills with the ability to effectively lead matrix teams
• Strong attention to detail; strong quality and compliance orientation
• Ability to effectively prioritize under tight deadlines in a fast-paced, dynamic environment; effective time management for self and team
• Self-directed; ability to proactively surface questions, opportunities, issues, and concerns
• Professional maturity, integrity, and the ability to maintain confidential data and information
• Strong business acumen; strong fiscal and technical aptitude

Featured Benefits

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Company Paid Life Insurance
• Disability Insurance
• Pet Insurance
• 401k Program with Employer Matching
• 3 Weeks Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Paid Holidays
• Wellness Initiatives
• Employee Assistance Program
• Eligible for Hybrid Work Schedule with Remote Flex Days

Compensation

• The hiring range for this position is between $175,000.00-$225,000.00 annually
• This position is eligible for an annual discretionary bonus

Fay Cares!

The Fay-Genstone Foundation was established to fulfill the philanthropic mission of The Fay Group employees to serve the communities in which they live and work. Our employees make voluntary contributions to the Foundation. Each quarter, their contributions are donated to organizations focused on improving education opportunities, combating poverty, and supporting military service members and first responders.

At Fay, we believe that the best ideas come from having a team that is diverse in backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. We strive to ensure each of our employees feels valued, respected, and included, and is presented with equal opportunities to be successful. Fay is an equal-opportunity workplace. The Fay Group and affiliated companies participate in E-Verify. For more information, go to www.dhs.gov/E-Verify.